The American embassy in Ottawa issued a statement Thursday morning, saying it was not, in fact, the value of “service and sacrifice” of Canada after the maid Trump appears to belittle hundreds of deaths and casualties that occurred during the war in Afghanistan.
“The United States deeply appreciates the service and sacrifice of our Canadian ally in support of the defense of freedom and global security,” said Richard Mills, Chargé embassy.
Chargé is a top-ranking official at the embassy at the time given Aldona Wos, who was nominated in February 2020 with the president to take over ambassador, has not been confirmed.
The statement also referred to a quote from Vice President Mike Pence when he visited Canada last year.
“The United States and Canada have been standing shoulder to shoulder in defense of freedom for generations. Our ancestors fought side by side in great conflicts of the 20th century, “said Pence.
“And in the last few years, our armed forces have been fighting against the scourge of terrorism of radical Islam in the Middle East. And both of our countries have suffered great sacrifice.
“The United States will always honor this alliance – the alliance for freedom. And we will always honor the sacrifice of the soldiers of our two countries. “
The statement Thursday was an unusual step by the embassy, but one that comes after Peter Navarro, trade adviser of US President Donald Trump, is quoted in a new book about the foreign policy of the current administration.
In the interview, he suggested that the reason Canada signed up to the bloody war in Afghanistan is to “lick” the US government at the time.
“Are they doing us a favor, or that they were taken to the idea that they need to do it as part of the global effort against terrorism?” he was quoted as saying.
“I mean, if they just did us a favor, maybe the government they should be thrown out of office. I mean, every time that show Canada in uniform, was doing us a favor? How does that work? “
He also added: “What is good about Canada?”
During the decade-long war in Afghanistan, 158 Canadian Forces members died.
More than 1,800 people were also injured, and the psychological and physical effects – including stress-related injuries – remains a challenging legacy that both the state and military continue to work for the address.
Also, seven Canadian civilians also died in the conflict: diplomats, government contractors, four aid workers and journalists.
Canadian officials stressed the ‘sacrifice’, support after 9/11
A senior Canadian government official, speaking on background, described the comments as “disappointing” given the support Canada has to offer in the wake of the 11 September 2001 terror attacks.
Kirsten Hillman, Canadian ambassador to Washington, posted a tweet highlighted the sacrifices Canada has made to stand by the United States and other allies in the conflict.
“You left sons and daughters, husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, to stand by the US partners and allies around the world,” he tweeted.
“Many brothers and sisters you never go back. We remember your sacrifice. We thank you for your service, [Canadian Forces]. “
You’ve left behind sons and daughters, husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, to stand by our U.S. partners and allies around the world.
Many of your brothers and sisters never returned.
We remember your sacrifices.
We’re grateful for your service, @CanadianForces.— Kirsten Hillman (@KirstenHillmanA) August 27, 2020
Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan issued a statement about the comments emphasizing the strong ties and shared sacrifices between Canada and the U.S.
“When our friend and ally was attacked on 9/11, Canada was there for America that day and throughout the entire Afghanistan campaign,” Sajjan said, pointing to the Canadians who made the “ultimate sacrifice in the name of our collective peace and security.”
“Canadians will not forget their sacrifice and having served alongside them, I know the American military and everyday Americans will not forget that Canada was there for them in their time of need.”
It’s not the first time Navarro has launched verbal volleys north of the border.
Following the G7 summit held in Quebec in 2018, Navarro let loose a tirade against Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on television, insisting there was “a special place in hell” for the leader of one of America’s longest-standing allies.
He made the comment after the U.S. imposed steep steel and aluminum tariffs on Canada as part of the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement, which prompted Trudeau to say in a press conference when asked about the tariffs that Canada “will not be pushed around.”
Navarro later apologized for his tirade, calling it “inappropriate.”
He has not yet apologized to the current case.
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